CURSEBOUND

A horrible night to have a curse.

A retro gothic action-platformer built in the spirit of classic NES adventures. Explore a cursed castle, uncover forgotten memories, battle monstrous servants, and evade a relentless force that never stops hunting you.

Built from the ground up as a single-file HTML game for NES Jam, CURSEBOUND recreates the look, feel, and limitations of an authentic late-1980s console experience while adding modern polish and atmospheric systems.

Story

You awaken at the gates of a forgotten castle with no memory of who you are or why you've come.

The halls are filled with monsters, ancient weapons, and fragments of a story long buried. Each piece of lore brings you closer to the truth.

Somewhere deep within the castle waits the answer.

And something else is waiting for you.

Something with far too many fingers.

Features

Explore a Multi-Zone Castle

Fight your way through interconnected regions filled with hazards, secrets, enemies, and hidden lore fragments.

Classic NES-Inspired Combat

Jump, dodge, and attack your way through a growing roster of enemies using multiple unlockable weapons.

Collect Powerful Weapons

Discover unique weapons throughout your journey, each with its own feel and combat style.

The Hand

A persistent stalker enemy that crawls through walls, ceilings, and darkness in search of the player. It cannot be permanently defeated—only delayed.

Lore & Memory System

Recover fragments of your past and piece together the truth behind the curse. Collect every fragment to unlock the path forward.

Authentic NES Presentation

• 256×224 resolution
• Pixel-perfect rendering
• NES-inspired color palette
• Retro sound synthesis
• Single-file HTML implementation

Checkpoint Saves

Progress is automatically saved as you advance through the castle, letting you continue your journey later.

Controls

D-Pad / Arrow Keys — Move
A — Jump
B — Attack
Start / Enter — Pause / Confirm
Select — Swap Weapon

NES Jam Notes

CURSEBOUND was created as a single-file HTML5 game inspired by the atmosphere, challenge, and presentation of classic gothic action games. Every system—from rendering and collision to audio and saving—exists inside one self-contained file.

Can you remember who you were before the curse?
Or will the castle remember for you? 🦇⚔️🏰